In partnership withT-Mobile
Sports

Cubs' World Series Parade and Rally: 10 Memorable Moments From the Historic Celebration

Like Game 7, Chicago's celebration had it all: a choked-up Anthony Rizzo, a huge selfie, an ill-advised camo vest, 2 singalongs and a goat.

Joe Vince's profile picture
Joe Vince, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
|

CHICAGO, IL — Cubs fans have had to wait than entire lives to experience an event like Friday's official celebration in honor of the Chicago Cubs' World Series championship.

That's probably why the around 5 million spectators who lined Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive and who packed into Grant Park's Hutchinson Field didn't seem to mind delays of nearly an hour for the parade and rally to begin.

Patch was at the celebration — manager Joe Maddon called it "Cubstock" — and we've put together 10 of our favorite memorable moments. Check out our complete celebration coverage to see what you missed if you couldn't attend or watch the event. Or relive the moments you were lucky enough to experience firsthand.

Find out what's happening in Lincoln Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

—Tim Moran and Joe Vince, Patch Editors

1. The Cubs Arrive at Grant Park

The team got a late start leaving Wrigley Field and heading to Michigan Avenue for the official parade. Even so, the double-decker buses — each one flying a "W" — made it to Grant Park only a few minutes past noon. This is how the assembled crowd greeted the players, coaches and front office personnel as the motorcade rolled up:

Find out what's happening in Lincoln Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

2. Anthony Rizzo's Tribute to David Ross

It's been proven again and again that there is crying in baseball. Especially while you're delivering an emotional tribute to a teammate.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo was unsuccessful holding back the tears as he told the crowd how important and personally inspiring retiring catcher David Ross, a.k.a. "Grandpa Rossy" had been to the 27-year-old All-Star:

"He taught me what it was like to be a winner. He's taught me a lot in life, on the field off the field. I'm grateful for him. He's going out a champion."

After that, Rizzo introduced Ross, giving him a tight hug as he walked up to the microphone.

3. David Ross' Giant Selfie

Ross outdid Ellen Degeneres' famous Academy Award selfie with his team photo from the Grant Park stage. The shot captured his teammates and thousands gathered at Hutchinson Field:

4. Unruly Fans

Not all the memorable moments were highlights. While reports of misbehaving fans were limited, there were a few storm clouds who rained on everyone else's parade.

Police had to force a group of dancing spectators to move out of the path of an ambulance trying to transport injured people to the hospital:

Spectators also used an ambulance roof as their elevated dance floor:

The most dangerous instance of unruly fans came when a few leaped off a downtown bridge into the Chicago River after the parade procession passed by, according to the Chicago Tribune. Thankfully, they weren't hurt, and the temperature was above normal for November:

4. A Case of the Blues for the Chicago River

The fans who too a dip in the Chicago River might not have been hurt, but the original colors of their clothing probably didn't fare as well. That's because the city dyed the waterway blue early Friday morning.

The dye job was a nice touch, and it finally answers a rhetorical river question from "The Fugitive" that has constantly plagued Chicagoans:

5. At Least 1 Goat at the Rally

Because someone had to do it. Really, is anyone surprised?

A goat attends the World Series victory celebration for the Chicago Cubs on Friday, Nov. 4 (photo by Tim Moran)

6. Travis Wood's Fashion Sense (or Lack Thereof)

To say reliever Travis Wood was sporting "a look" during Friday's would be charitable. He arrived at Wrigley Field looking like he raided Larry the Cable Guy's closet blindfolded:

Eventually, Wood shed the camouflage vest in favor of emulating Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith and going shirtless during a championship celebration:

Wood, however, doesn't have the J.R. Smith's abs:

7. Ben Zobrist's Team Spirit

In talking about why he wanted to join the Cubs as a free agent, World Series MVP Ben Zobrist attitude explained why this team was able to overcome so many postseason challenges:

"This is a team full of MVPs, and we're in a city of MVPs."

8. Honoring the Past

One of the classiest moves by the organization — especially for longtime fans — was inviting Cubs legends from past eras to be part of the parade and rally. They included Billy Williams, Ryne Sandberge, Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood.

9. Now, Theo Epstein Can Get to Drinking

The Cubs' president of baseball operations' most memorable moment wasn't his emotional thank you to the fans who stuck with the team through the rebuilding process. It was his throwaway line before introducing manager Joe Maddon: He told the crowd he had one more responsibility — bringing Maddon onstage — before going "back to that little bender I've been promising."

10. "Go Cubs Go" Singalongs

The Grant Park rally ended Friday with what's probably the biggest "Go Cubs Go" singalong ever as country singer and avid Cubs fan Brett Eldredge came onstage to lead the crowd.

But that wasn't the only time fans broke out in public performances of the song. A small group in the nearby Congress Hotel did their own scaled-down version of the Cubs' anthem:

Fans gather on the west side of Grant Park, near Michigan Avenue and Congress Parkway, for the parade and rally in honor of the Chicago Cubs' World Series title on Friday, Nov. 4. (photo by Tim Moran)

More Cubs Coverage on Patch

The Game 7 Victory

The Players and the Teams

The Fans

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Lincoln Park